The purpose of Foster Care is to provide temporary, safe living arrangements for children that have experienced (or are at significant risk of experiencing) abuse or neglect. Children who enter Foster Care are removed from their home by Child Protective Services due to parent or caregiver’s inability to protect their children. Their placement into Foster Care is adjudicated by Family Court. Children may also enter Foster Care when their parents are experiencing serious medical, mental health, or financial hardships and are unable to appropriately care for their children due to these circumstances. In these situations, parents voluntarily choose to sign a placement agreement to allow their children to enter Foster Care. Children may also enter Foster Care as a Person in Need of Supervision (PINS) or a Juvenile Delinquent (JD). Each child who enters Foster Care is required to have a permanency plan stating how the child will be discharged from care. Discharge to parents, relatives, adoption, or independent living are examples of permanency plans.

  • You must be over the age of 21
  • You may be married, single, or living in partnership
  • You must have your own source of income
  • You must have a bedroom with access to closet space for each child
  • You must have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
  • You must provide a safe and healthy home
  • Each person in the home 18 years or older must successfully complete a background check

  • Attend one of our Orientation Meetings
  • Complete and return the Agency’s Registration Form
  • Provide at least three non-relative references & one employment reference
  • Become Certified by completing our 30-hour Training Program
  • Successfully complete a background check
  • Participate in a home study

Saratoga County Foster Care Unit provides a comprehensive certification program to Saratoga County individuals or families over the age of 21 who are interested in providing a loving, stable home to children. To become certified, each applicant must complete a 30-hour training program called Group Preparation and Selection II/Model Approaches to Parenting (GPSII/MAPP). Classes are typically offered in the spring and fall, however there are alternative training options available between classes. In addition to training, each applicant is required to complete a background check and participate in a home study. Foster Parents are required to work in partnership with agency caseworker, service providers and birth families to achieve the children’s stated permanency goal. . There is no cost to apply and enroll in foster parent training classes. Saratoga County welcomes individuals and families of all backgrounds to apply.

  • Reimbursement for food, clothing, and board, based on the child’s age and need for special services. Please note: initial reimbursements can take 4-6 weeks
  • Reimbursement for daycare for working parents
  • Support from individual caseworker
  • Ongoing training to learn about caring for children in foster care
  • 24/7 case worker support for crisis intervention or emergencies
  • Supportive network of other foster parents and regular communications from the Saratoga County Department of Social Services Foster Care Unit

Saratoga County Foster Care caseworkers are responsible for making necessary referrals to various service providers designed to support children and their birth parents throughout their placement and in some situations after discharge. Some of these services can also take place within the foster home. These services are designed to address the reasons for the removal from their home and assist in achieving the stated permanency goal (discharge to parent, relative, independent living, or adoption). Foster Care caseworkers make regular visits to the foster home to ensure the children’s needs are met and to support foster parents with their efforts.

Children in Foster Care may become legally eligible for adoption in two ways. First, the court can terminate parent’s rights due to their inability or unwillingness to address their needs that caused the children to be removed. Second, parents can choose to surrender their parental rights to their children, making them eligible for adoption. Children who have already been made eligible for adoption and who remain in the care and custody of Saratoga County DSS will stay in foster care until their adoption is finalized. To adopt an eligible child(ren) currently in Foster Care, you must first become certified as foster parents to provide care to the child(ren). Foster care services are provided in the home until the adoption is finalized.

For more information please contact Chris Cittadino, Home Finder at 518-884-4157

 

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